Iris Shepherd Wins National Music Competition

Shannon McFarlin
March 2, 2021
9:54 am

By Shannon McFarlin News Director

Henry, Tenn.–15-year-old Iris Shepherd of Henry has won the Music Teachers National Association’s National Competition for her exceptional talent on the violin.

A lot of hard work over a number of years has gone into winning the prestigious competition. Her father, C. Scott Shepherd said Iris had dreamed of winning nationals since she was nine years old.

Her father explained the competition has three tiers. Iris won the Tennessee state division in October, afterwhich she won the Southern Division of the U.S. early in January, representing Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee and Virginia.

This year’s competition was conducted virtually and Iris performed four pieces, competing in the Senior Strings category (ages 15-18).

Iris attends Vanderbilt University’s Blair School of Music, a pre-college program, in addition to the FAITH Homeschool Tutorial in Jackson.

Iris also was recently chosen to perform on NPR’s ‘From the Top” program, along with which she received the $10,000 Jack Kent Cooke Young Artist scholarship. She will perform on the “From the Top” program later this year.

The MTNA National Competitions are the most successful and prestigious student competitions in the country Each year, thousands of students compete for top prizes and national recognition. The purpose of the Music Teachers National Association Performance competitions is to provide educational experiences for students and teachers and to recognize exceptionally talented young artists and their teachers in their pursuit of musical excellence.

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Iris Shepherd Wins National Music Competition

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